Age estimation using radicular dentine transparency: A new innovative approach

AIM: To estimate the age of the individual from radicular dentine transparency and to derive a formula suitable for age estimation in the Indian population, using radicular dentine transparency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy teeth samples of known age were collected from patients belonging to different age groups ranging from 11 to 80 years whose teeth were extracted for various therapeutic purposes. The samples were grouped from A to G according to their age, each group consisting of 10 teeth samples. Buccolingual sections of 100 μm thickness were obtained using hard tissue microtome. The sections were scanned using a flat-bed scanner. The scanning base of the scanner was pasted with a graph sheet and the teeth samples pasted on to the graph sheet were scanned with a resolution of 600 dpi, and the images were stored in a computer. The graph sheet was clearly visible in the area of transparent dentine, and the length of transparent dentine (i.e., the number of millimeters on the graph) was measured from the scanned images, stored in the computer. RESULTS: A strong positive correlation between age and transparency of dentin was noted. The age was estimated with an accuracy of ± 5 years (61.4%) and ± 10 years (12.9%). The present study had a level of agreement of 71.4% with that of Bang and Ramm. CONCLUSION: Thus, transparency level of the radicular dentin increases with age, and it can be used as a single reliable parameter for age estimation.